Royal Enfield has finally taken the wraps off the Classic 650. The motorcycle had been spied enough while doing test runs in India and more recently, while supposedly filming for promotional material in the UK. It has finally been reveled at EICMA today. The recipe is familiar. The tried-and-tested 650cc parallel twin-cylinder powerplant finds a new home nestled in the middle of a double-cradle frame, not unlike the Shotgun 650’s. Except, this motorcycle bears the silhouette of the now-iconic Classic 350.
The round headlight is set within an instantly recognizable nacelle like the Classic 350’s, flanked on either corner by the signature tiger-eye marker lights. The front forks look like enlarged Classic 350 units but seem significantly muscular than the ones found on either the Super Meteor or the Shotgun. The front mudguard extends almost till the bottom of the cradle and promises ample protection from grime and mud. Expect it to be made of metal, like most parts on this motorcycle. The engine and exhausts come duly bathed in glistening chrome and go rather well with the shiny rims and twinkly spokes. Twin pea-shooter cans, each reminiscent of the Classic 350’s but with stubbier tips provide ample mass at the rear, which the sleek and neatly finished single-piece metal rear mudguard rounds off nicely. The paint schemes offered suit the motorcycle’s decidedly retro aesthetic like a glove, and every single one looks pretty.
Riders will find themselves perched comfortably atop the sleek-yet-well-padded solo saddle, with their legs and feet in a straight, neutral position. The almost Shotgun-like rider footpeg position combined with the single-piece curved handlebar and the low seat is sure to provide an upright and comfortable riding position to riders of most heights and builds. The Classic 350 was always meant to be ridden leisurely. The Classic 650 can safely be expected to carry forward that cherished trait. The rear suspension setup looks similar to the Shotgun’s but a softer tuning for a more absorbent ride can be expected from the hydraulic units.
Overall, the Classic 650 comes across as a neat-looking and cohesively put-together machine. In order to allay your fears of pushing this white elephant with a flat tyre, alloy rims are expected to be available as an accessory.
Royal Enfield has somehow mastered the rare and beautiful art of making modern motorcycles which wouldn’t look out of place eighty years ago. The Classic 650 stands as further proof of the same.
